Document 0861
 DOCN  M9550861
 TI    [Immune response to antibiotics in patients with secondary
       immunodeficiencies]
 DT    9505
 AU    Meroni PL; Istituto di Medicina Interna, Malattie Infettive &;
       Immunopatologia, Universita degli Studi, Milano.
 SO    J Chemother. 1994 Aug;6 Suppl 3:16-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95165192
 AB    A biological response modifier (BRM) has been defined as an agent able
       to modulate effector mechanisms or mediators of host defence. Some
       antibiotic molecules have been shown to display a BRM like activity,
       being able to enhance immune responses (certain cephalosporins), to
       synergize with the immune effectors (macrolides, quinolones) or
       alternatively, to depress immune functions (tetracyclines or antimycotic
       drugs). The BRM-like activity of different antibiotic molecules has been
       widely reported in in vitro studies as well as ex vivo in experimental
       animal models. Only recently some Authors have approached the problem by
       investigating whether the in vivo administration of antibiotic was able
       to affect different immune effector functions, either in healthy
       subjects or in patients. The main question in the field is the possible
       clinical impact of the connections between antibiotics and the immune
       system, particularly in subjects with acquired immunodeficiency in whom
       the impairment of the immune responses leads to increased susceptibility
       to infectious processes. Ex vivo data seem to suggest that cefodizime,
       one of the newest third-generation cephalosporins, is able to enhance
       phagocyte and mononuclear cell functions in healthy volunteers, thus
       confirming the possibility of combining an antibacterial efficacy with
       the ability to restore or enhance immune responses. Comparable data in
       studies investigating the effect of cefodizime on immune functions in
       immunocompromised patients such as elderly subjects, hemodialyzed or
       diabetic patients, BPCO subjects, patients undergoing surgical stress
       and patients with multiple myeloma are more important from a practical
       clinical point of view.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
 DE    Aged  Antibiotics/*PHARMACOLOGY/THERAPEUTIC USE  Bacterial
       Infections/DRUG THERAPY/IMMUNOLOGY  *Biological Response Modifiers
       Comparative Study  English Abstract  Human  Immunity/*DRUG EFFECTS
       Immunity, Natural/DRUG EFFECTS  Immunocompromised Host/DRUG EFFECTS
       Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/*DRUG THERAPY/IMMUNOLOGY  In Vitro
       Mycoses/DRUG THERAPY/IMMUNOLOGY  Phagocytes/DRUG EFFECTS  Protozoan
       Infections/DRUG THERAPY/IMMUNOLOGY  Virus Diseases/DRUG
       THERAPY/IMMUNOLOGY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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